Group says RP problems spawned by 'Hello Garci' mess

MANILA, Philippines - The Black and White Movement on Friday vowed to stage weekly protest rallies to remind people that all their problems were spawned by the unresolved "Hello Garci" scandal. The vow came even as members of the group staged a "Black Friday" protest at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila Friday afternoon amid the drizzle. The group said that the weekly protests will be held until President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State of the Nation Address on July 28. "Itong pagkilos na ito gusto naming ipaalala sa taumbayan ang problema nagsimula sa Garci tape (We want to remind the people that their problems now all started from cheating in the 2004 elections)," convenor Vicente Romano III said in an interview on dzBB radio. Romano said that in the Comelec alone, the appointment of "relative unknowns" Lucenito Tagle and Leonardo Leonida already raise many questions about possible cheating in 2010. He said the two were not in any list of prospective commissioners recommended by non-government organizations. "Sa dami na nirekomenda na highly qualified bakit hindi kilala ang in-appoint? Anong agenda sa pag-appoint? Baka maulit ang nangyari sa 2004 (Of all those who were recommended, why did the Palace pick unknowns? What's the agenda? Will we see a repeat of cheating in 2010)?" he said. The participants wore black as they picketed the Comelec. Among those present was the late Fernando Poe Jr.'s daughter, Grace. - GMANews.TV